June 12, 2014 Corinthians II Chapter 8

2nd Corinthians Chapter 8

Originally posted Wednesday August 6, 2014

2nd Corinthians Chapter 8:1-15 Encouragement to be Generous

The subject of this passage is the collection of funds Paul and Titus have been taking from among the churches of Macedonia and which he will receive from the Corinthians when he visits them. We read of this in 1 Cor. 16:1-4 that Paul suggested they have the money ready when he arrives so that he might not be delayed in his plan to travel to Jerusalem in this church-wide (connectional) "ministry to the saints." Paul exhibits an innovative fund-raising approach with Corinth in which he inserts a bit of competitive spirit not to mention planning on the church's sense of pride. Writing of the collection in Macedonia, which consisted of funds from a number of smaller communities as well as the larger cities Philippi and Thessalonica, he notes their own "severe ordeal of affliction" and their "extreme poverty." But their voluntary response was more than could be expected, "overflowing in a wealth of generosity" beyond their means. Paul gives appropriate praise to Titus who has been the "campaign chairman" of the collections and suggests he will send him back to Corinth where he will "complete this generous "grace" (not undertaking). Of course this generosity among the Macedonians is, for Paul, God's grace at work in building the expanding body of Christ.

After touting the generosity of the Macedonians, he makes a remark the Corinthians will well understand. Not so subtly he refers to the issues of party spirit and haughtiness relating to those who thought they were more mature in the faith than others. He "puts it on their doorstep" so-to-speak. Since they excel in so many ways, even in their love for Paul, he expects that they will excel in this generous grace (of God) through their generosity. Now Paul becomes clearer in his tactics. He has not issued an apostolic command to them. Rather he is putting their renewed love for him to the test comparing their response against that of others in terms of their generosity (we might call this a bit of effective holy coercion). If this is not enough, Paul uses the example of the ultimate generosity of the sacrifice of Christ who, "though he was rich (as Son of God), yet for [their] sakes became poor (as a crucified criminal)." Without writing so, Paul makes the spiritual case for expecting their generosity. They have become rich in God's grace through Christ's humiliation on the cross for their sake. Having had nearly a year to "put aside" funds for the collection (16:2) they certainly can make their own sacrifice for the sake of the saints in Jerusalem who are, after all, the first believers from whom Paul came to preach to them. On that basis alone they should be eager to be generous and Paul fully expects they will be in accordance with their means. He does not mean to deprive them of what is necessary for their daily needs, but there is a balance to strike between their abundance and the poverty of the saints. This is a wonderful example of what is called God's compassion expressed through distributive justice, that in the Christian economy those who have much are called to be eager to alleviate the needs of those who have little. Citing the example of the distribution of manna in the wilderness, (Exod. 16:1) Paul calls this distribution for Jerusalem a fair balance between the rich and the poor.

2nd Corinthians Chapter 8:16-24 Paul's Commendation of Titus

Titus has been an important member of the evangelistic group working with Paul throughout Macedonia and Achaia. Indeed his God-given zeal (eagerness) for the Corinthians rises to a level equal to Paul's. He has served as Paul's presence in Corinth and was instrumental in smoothing over the soured relationship between Paul and the Corinthians. He also was the organizer and supervisor of the collections about which we are reading. Paul trusts him with his letters to Corinth and interpretations of those letters. Apparently he possessed the gift of diplomacy for his work was fruitful at every turn. Although Paul writes that he has appealed to titus to return to Corinth, he quickly adds that Titus is quite eager to go on his own without being asked to make the journey to complete the church's readiness for Paul's return.

The Corinthians will be pleased that Titus is returning to complete the collection in preparation for its transport to Jerusalem. Paul, seeking to give more confidence to the community regarding his plan, is sending two unnamed brothers with Titus. One is a famous evangelist known throughout Macedonia for his preaching of the Gospel. He is highly respected and was chosen by the Macedonian churches by a "showing of hands" not only to be their representative but also to accompany Paul as he brings the offering to Jerusalem. The other is one of Paul's trusted fellow workers who Paul has "often tested" and found to be a zealous worker. He too, probably because of Titus' persuasion, has become confident in the outcome of Titus' mission to Corinth. Paul commends this trio to the Corinthians: Titus as Paul's partner and the two brothers as "messengers (apostles) of the churches [which are] the glory of Christ."

Lest we think the sending of these three well known and respected representatives is more than necessary we should remember that Paul, with Titus' calming influence, has recently been reconciled with the Corinthians. He does not want to leave anything to chance that might disrupt the regained confidence they have in him. The three hand-picked men will be respected and believable. They will serve to dispel any suspicions about how Paul will use this money and be the guarantors that Paul's intentions "to do what is right not only in the Lord's sight but in the sight of others" will be carried out. Paul closes this fragment calling on the Corinthians to receive these men openly and with a clear demonstration of their love in keeping with Paul's boasting on the church's behalf.